Flood damage means that the 1927 Sara Scout hall in Rideau Park, which was to receive an extensive renovation, will instead need to be rebuilt. Stories below from early September. The original building has already been taken down and salvaged in preparation for re-construction.

One of Calgary’s oldest buildings, a victim of June’s flooding, is to be given new life thanks to a local developer.

Rideau Road’s 10th Calgary Troop Boy Scout Hall, known as the Sara Scout Hall, had already been scheduled for an autumn facelift.

“We’d started this plan prior to the flood,” said Kevin Mullen, president of Empire Custom Homes. “The intent was to rebuild back the oldest single-purpose building in Calgary.”

But planners are in a holding pattern, waiting for the city to approve new permit applications submitted after the flood, Mullen said.

The wood-frame hall was built in 1927 and has been home to Cub, Beaver and Scout troupes.

Former plans to renovate the historic hall rang in at well over $300,000, but many suppliers and tradespeople were contributing to the cause, Mullen said.

“They were Beavers and Cubs themselves, so they’re willing to sacrifice their time and revenue.”

Some of the historic features, including the original fireplace and some walls, have been salvaged in an attempt to preserve the building’s presence. Plans also include raising the structure about one foot higher off the ground.

“It has a great look and feel exactly as it did from its inception. We wanted to make it look like it did when it was built, but with today’s quality standards,” said Mullen. “That was our mission, to make it look like the historic building that it was.

“It’s a great history for those who grew up in Cubs, Scouts and Beavers. We’re pretty excited about it.”

The building was donated by the Sara family, to be used for scout troupes.

“It’s really the kids who own it,” said Mullen. “It’s really about being able to get it back in shape so the kids can enjoy it and do all the things Beavers, Cubs and Scouts do, which is give children an opportunity to be with friends and build life skills.”